Thursday, July 21, 2016

Brazil Weekly Microcephaly Report - July 21st

#11,569

Brazil has released their weekly Microcephaly report card and it shows the
number of suspected cases under investigation has increased by 120 in the last reporting period, while the total number of confirmed microcephaly cases has risen by 22.

Upon further investigation, another 58 have been discarded as not meeting the criteria for microcephaly, so the number still under investigation increases to 3680.

New bulletin of the Ministry of Health, released on Wednesday (20), points out that, until July 16, were confirmed 1,709 cases of microcephaly and other nervous system disorders, suggestive of congenital infection. They remain under investigation by the Ministry of Health and the states 3,182 suspected cases of microcephaly across the country.

Since the beginning of the investigation, in October last year, 8,571 cases were reported to the Ministry of Health. Of these, 3,680 were discarded because of normal results or because they have microcephaly or malformations confirmed because noninfectious. Were also discarded by do not meet the case definition. Of the total confirmed cases (1,709), 267 were confirmed by specific laboratory criteria for Zika virus. The Ministry of Health, however, points out that this figure does not represent adequately the total number of cases related to the virus.

The folder considers that there was infection Zika most of the mothers who had babies with a final diagnosis of microcephaly. The 1,709 confirmed cases in Brazil occurred in 595 municipalities located in all Brazilian states and the Federal District. In the same period, there were 354 suspected deaths of microcephaly and / or alteration of the central nervous system after birth or during pregnancy (miscarriage or stillbirth) in the country. This represents 4.1% of the total reported cases. Of these, 102 were confirmed to microcephaly and / or alteration of the central nervous system. Other 192 are still under investigation and 60 were discarded.

The Ministry of Health says it is investigating all cases of microcephaly and other disorders of the central nervous system informed by the states, as well as possible relationship with the Zika virus and other congenital infections. Microcephaly can be caused by various infectious agents beyond Zika as Syphilis, Toxoplasmosis, Other Infectious Agents, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Viral.

The folder guides pregnant women adopt measures to reduce the presence of Aedes aegypti, with the elimination of breeding, and to protect themselves from mosquito exposure, keeping doors and windows closed or screened, wear pants and long sleeved shirts and use repellents allowed to pregnant women. Distribution of reported cases of microcephaly by UF until July 16, 2016